Underrated Actresses Whose Work You Should Follow

The film industry is full of blockbuster names and red-carpet favorites. Most of these aren’t great actresses – they are just famous.

Nebojsa Glogovac once said that if youngsters want to be famous, make money, and be on the cover of magazines, they shouldn’t be actors. But if someone wants to try to understand people, dive deep into their souls, and experience metaphysical moments, they should be an actor. Often, underrated actresses are the latter – those whose performances are just beneath the mainstream spotlight.

They’re not necessarily hidden – they’ve been building rich bodies of work quietly, brilliantly. The reason these actresses aren’t super famous isn’t because they aren’t good actresses. Quite the contrary, but they just aren’t or don’t want to be a product and do ‘what you must’ to be famous.

Therefore, let’s stick to quality and check out underrated actresses whose work deserves more attention.

Julia Garner

When it comes to underrated actresses in Hollywood, Julia Garner is undoubtedly one of them.

Best known for her impressive role as Ruth Langmore in Ozark, Julia Garner brings an electrifying intensity to every role. Whether she’s playing the ambitious assistant in The Assistant or conning the rich and famous in Inventing Anna, Garner proves she’s versatile.

The New York-born actress isn’t often in the spotlight since she isn’t what Hollywood requires off-camera. However, she’s a fantastic actress. But I bet everyone knows who Gal Gadot is…

Golshifteh Farahani

An international treasure, Golshifteh Farahani has moved seamlessly between Iranian cinema and Hollywood. Her soulful performances are layered with emotional depth, often saying more with a glance than pages of dialogue ever could.

We don’t know, but Hollywood agents may want her to change her name, attend celebrity events, and ‘say what one is expected.’ Well, Farahani probably isn’t willing to do that just to be famous, which makes her even more unique.

Vicky Krieps

Certainly one of the most underrated actresses, Vicky Krieps, stunned audiences alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread.

Whether in Corsage or Bergman Island, Krieps brings a magnetic, unpredictable energy that makes her performances linger long after the credits roll. She is getting more attention now, which she undoubtedly deserves.

Nina Hoss

A pillar of German cinema, Nina Hoss has been quietly delivering tour-de-force performances in films like Phoenix, Barbara, and Tár.

Her ability to project strength, vulnerability, and mystery equally makes her one of the most fascinating actresses you may not be watching, but should be. It’s exciting to see which roles Nina Hoss will play next, both in American and worldwide cinema.

Gaby Hoffmann

A former child star, Gaby Hoffmann has reemerged in adulthood with fiercely lived-in performances in shows like Transparent and films like C’mon C’mon. Her work is authentic, embracing the complex, human sides of life.

A lot of times, child actors have a tough time transitioning into professional performers, but Hoffmann managed to transform into an excellent actress.

Alia Shawkat

Forever memorable as Maeby Fünke in Arrested Development, Alia Shawkat has since built a career on nuanced, offbeat roles (Search Party, Animals). A true indie spirit, Alia Shawkat balances humor and vulnerability in a way few others can.

She is also one of the underrated actresses who don’t fit the Hollywood model, but are great actresses regardless. 

Lily Gladstone

Her quiet and heartbreaking performance in Certain Women put her on the map for cinephiles. However, Lily Gladstone is gaining more momentum since she played Mollie Burkhart in Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.

With her calming intensity and powerful presence, Gladstone is a force to watch. Considering her performances so far, she’s likely to be one of the directors’ top choices in the near future.

Morfydd Clark

Whether terrifying audiences in Saint Maud or embodying youthful Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Morfydd Clark brings a mysterious and magnetic strength to every role. 

She’s just beginning to show the full range of what she can do, so her prominence is at the beginning. No matter what she does next, she undoubtedly has proven that she has range.

Jessie Buckley

A chameleon of extraordinary talent, Jessie Buckley is definitely one of the most underrated actresses of all time.

She impressed us in Wild Rose, haunted us in I’m Thinking of Ending Things, and broke our hearts in Women Talking. In addition, Buckley proved she’s also excellent for TV shows by acting in Chernobyl.

Her ability to disappear into wildly different characters makes her one of the most exciting actresses working today.

Jasna Đuričić

With years of experience in both film and theater, it’s fair to state that there isn’t a role Jasna Đuričić can’t play. Playing extremely difficult roles like in Quo Vadis, Aida?, she’s a fighter for egalitarianism also in real life. What makes her even a braver actress is playing roles that can have consequences on her private life.

She plays roles that are exhausting, complex, and ask for a lot of commitment. When we talk about a wide acting range, we should always mention Jasna Đuričić.

Condola Rashad

Undoubtedly one of the best underrated actresses, Condola Rashad is a performer of rare grace and intelligence. Whether charming Broadway, holding her own in the TV drama Billions, or playing something entirely different in Bikini Moon, Condola is always on point.

Her acting isn’t just accurate, it’s also magnetic, thoughtful, powerful, and profoundly human. It would be great if she acted in more movies in the future.

Final Words on Underrated Actresses You Should Check Out

In an industry often obsessed with celebrity status, these underrated actresses remind us that the true art of acting lies in commitment and courage. Following their careers is like curating a collection of modern masterworks — intimate, complex, and unforgettable.

Hollywood studios often rely on what’s bankable. For instance, if we hire Angelina Jolie, we’ll have a good box office even if the movie is bad. Not that Jolie is a bad actress, far from it, but you get the point. However, the business side is one thing while quality is something entirely different.

Check out these actresses’ performances in various movies, TV shows, and even the theater if you can. If you want to discover more, here’s a list of underrated films that deserve a lot more praise!